With a winter storm blanketing a large swath of the country, Hollywood had its quietest weekend of the year at the box office. The Amazon MGM sci-fi thriller “Mercy” dethroned “Avatar: Fire and Ash” from the No. 1 spot with $11.2 million in North America, according to studio estimates Sunday. Hundreds of theaters were forced to close due to the storm spreading from Texas to Maine. But the weekend was never going to be a blockbuster one. “Mercy,” starring Chris Pratt, arrived with withering reviews and an equally poor reception from audiences. But it was still enough to finally dislodge James Cameron’s third Pandora epic from its monthlong perch atop the box office.
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The Sundance Film Festival hosted the world premieres of two comedies on Saturday. Olivia Wilde's “The Invite” debuted at the Eccles Theater in Park City, Utah. It marks her third directorial effort and is a return to her comedic roots. The film, written by Will McCormack and Rashida Jones, stars Wilde and Seth Rogen as a couple hosting a revealing dinner with their neighbors, played by Penélope Cruz and Edward Norton. Following “The Invite” was Cathy Yan’s “The Gallerist,” starring Natalie Portman as a gallerist involved in a bizarre plot at Art Basel. Both films are seeking distribution at the festival.
The Sundance Film Festival is buzzing with excitement as Channing Tatum, Olivia Wilde, and Charli xcx movies premiere back-to-back at the Eccles Theater in Park City, Utah. Friday afternoon brought the premiere of “Josephine,” a drama by Beth De Araújo about an 8-year-old girl who witnesses a crime. Tatum and Gemma Chan play her parents. Next was Gregg Araki's “I Want Your Sex,” starring Cooper Hoffman and Olivia Wilde. It's a colorful, sexy story about a young man's life turned upside down by his provocative boss. Charli xcx also stars and has a double feature with her mockumentary “The Moment.”
AP Wire
The Sundance Film Festival has kicked off in Utah, marking the first year without founder Robert Redford. His daughter, Amy Redford, shared in an interview with The Associated Press that her father believed everyone has a story, a principle guiding this year's festival. Several films are on the list to premiere Thursday. They include Amir Bar-Lev’s documentary on mountain climbing, Rachel Lambert’s drama “Carousel” and Judd Apatow’s film about comedian Maria Bamford. Other highlights include a look at playwright Luis Valdez's legacy and a midnight movie by Casper Kelly. The festival runs through Feb. 1.
Leonardo DiCaprio has picked up his sixth lead actor Oscar nomination for his role in “One Battle After Another.” Ten years after winning for “The Revenant,” he joins a select group of actors with this many nominations. Including his supporting nomination for “What’s Eating Gilbert Grape,” he now has eight nominations overall. DiCaprio says the most important thing is being part of a timeless film. The film received 13 nominations, but co-star Chase Infiniti was notably snubbed. DiCaprio tells The Associated Press he spoke to her and that she had an amazing attitude. DiCaprio also emphasized the importance of original filmmaking and the theatrical experience.
AP Wire
Ryan Coogler’s blues-steeped vampire epic “Sinners” led all films with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards, setting a record for the most in Oscar history. Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voters showered “Sinners” with more nominations Thursday than ever before, breaking the 14-nomination mark set by “All About Eve,” “Titanic” and “La La Land.” Coogler was still trying to process the record-breaking haul when reached by The Associated Press this morning. Paul Thomas Anderson’s father-daughter revolutionary saga “One Battle After Another” trailed in second with 13 nominations of its own, making it a banner day for Warner Bros.
This year’s class of Oscar nominees has been announced. Ryan Coogler’s “Sinners” led all films Thursday with 16 nominations to the 98th Academy Awards, setting a record for the most in Oscar history. Paul Thomas Anderson’s “One Battle After Another” was second in the tally with 13 nominations.
Chris Pine stars in and produces Rachel Lambert's film “Carousel,” which premieres Thursday at the Sundance Film Festival. The film tells the story of a single father in Cleveland navigating love and life challenges. Pine was captivated by Lambert's unique storytelling, while Lambert admired Pine for his intelligence and sensitivity, likening him to classic actors like Jimmy Stewart. The film, shot on location and on celluloid, is Lambert's most personal. Pine and co-star Jenny Slate share a strong on-screen chemistry, enhancing the film's emotional depth. “Carousel” is seeking a distributor at the festival.
The 42nd Sundance Film Festival kicks off this week in Park City, Utah. It marks the last edition in its longtime home and the first without founder Robert Redford, who died in September. Despite the changes, the festival remains vibrant with 90 features premiering through Feb. 1. Three of these films feature pop star Charli xcx. Sundance public programming director Eugene Hernandez describes the lineup as broad and eclectic. The festival will honor Redford with tributes and retrospective screenings. Sundance is set to relocate to Boulder, Colorado, next January.
When you think IMAX, chances are your mind goes to those immersive documentaries that take you inside volcanoes, deep under oceans or to distant planets. Or maybe you envision those widescreen films featuring backstage experiences with iconic rockstars or Hollywood special effects. But, this year, the state of Ohio is using the technology to tell an environmental comeback story closer to home. “Ohio: Wild at Heart” features the state’s top-ranked park system as it highlights wildlife conservation efforts and the restorative power of outdoor recreation. The $2.5 million film is drawing crowds at science museums and heads soon into classrooms.